TL: Etude
This morning, Lord Paul Grayman of Alda summoned alchemists, including Wells, to his castle. It was Wells’ first ti eting the highest ruler of the land he lived on.
The alchemists were surprised to find that the lord appeared to be just of age, around fifteen or sixteen years old.
Having lived in Lakeheart Town for so long, they had certainly heard of Count Paul Grayman’s various impressive achievents.
Militarily, he had trained his army to eradicate pirates that had plagued the Northwest Bay for years imdiately after assuming his lordship last year. He then led his forces to quell a rebellion by Baylding’s vassals and recently partnered with other lords to overthrow Count Marltz Kent, who had coveted the position of Duke of the Northwest.
In agriculture, he had audited farmlands, consolidated arable land, improved irrigation, and introduced crop rotation. In comrce, he encouraged the developnt of mariti trade and sent expeditions to Horn Bay.
He was also an inventor, owning a dazzling array of inventions like canned food, porcelain, new types of paper, a thod for drying salt, and a remarkable reaping machine. These inventions led to the birth of nurous erging industries in Alda and Baylding. Oh, and the legendary fire crossbow and thunder hamr were also his creations.
These legendary deeds bestowed many honors on the Count, making him a prophet-like figure to his people. It was a pity he was born in the Northwest Bay; had he been a lord further south, with just a little money, bards would have already extolled him as a young talent on par with geniuses like Catherine Rodney or Antonio Griffin.
The youthful appearance of the lord was sowhat incongruent with the tales they had heard, no wonder the alchemists were astonished.
However, they were pleased to find that Count Grayman didn’t put on airs like typical nobility.
“Gentlen, please take a seat!” the Count gestured to them with a welcoming hand, more like hosting an academic salon than a lord summoning his subordinates.
He first praised the alchemists’ work and expressed satisfaction with their achievents.
The group quickly showed modesty, vowing to continue their hard work to et the Count’s high expectations.
Then Count Grayman made an exciting announcent that made their hearts race. “I intend to build a laboratory in Lakeheart Town to fully support your alchemical experints.”
The alchemists were ecstatic. Working in a well-equipped laboratory with ample materials to freely explore the mysteries of alchemy was every alchemist’s dream. However, this was challenging to achieve. Due to financial constraints, most alchemists could only work according to existing formulas and processes, as they were currently doing in the saltpeter fields. Even those supported by wealthy patrons operated under similar constraints.
Coming from an alchemical family, Wells once had a small laboratory in Crystal Shine, but that was in the past, and it was nothing compared to a laboratory supported by a lord.
Therefore, Wells was as thrilled as the others. Suppressing his excitent, he cautiously asked, “May I know the extent of your support for our experints?”
After so thought, Paul replied, “Submit an application before conducting any experints, detailing the purpose and significance, the conditions required, and an initial budget. If I find it reasonable, I will approve it – a process known as ‘project initiation’. Then, you’ll receive funds to purchase materials and equipnt. However, every expense must be recorded in detail; I’ll have soone audit the accounts.”
It seed they wouldn’t be given carte blanche to spend money, but the alchemists didn’t harbor any extravagant ideas either.
“Lord Grayman is wise!” soone couldn’t wait to flatter.
“Lord Grayman, you will surely reap rich rewards! Alchemy is the most magical domain in the world!” another painted a rosy picture for the lord.
“Gentlen!” Count Grayman waved his hands, seemingly unaffected by the lavish praise.
“I hope to establish this laboratory under the na of Weiss Academy. You will be working for the academy and fall under the jurisdiction of the Departnt of Education.”
The Departnt of Education? The group was taken aback. Seed like the head was a woman. Were these n going to be governed by a woman?
Well, that’s acceptable, as long as the funding cos swiftly. Besides, the person in charge seems to be a female scholar, who would presumably understand the great significance of researching alchemy.
Count Grayman continued, “This is also for your convenience. You can select talented students from the academy as assistants or apprentices, of course, after they complete their basic studies.”
The group nodded in agreent, appreciating the lord’s thoughtfulness.
“Lord Grayman, regarding the results of the experints…” soone began tentatively, looking sowhat uneasy.
This brought to everyone’s attention a crucial issue: in life, it’s all about fa and profit.
Count Grayman’s expression turned serious. “Since you are conducting experints with the academy’s financial support, the patents for any new inventions naturally belong to the academy. However, if the invention is useful, the academy will certainly award you a generous bonus.”
Okay, everyone was mature enough to know that nothing cos for free, and at least there would be a bonus, but…
“The inventor or discoverer of new technology or theories announced to the public must be the actual person! Fraudulent claims of credit are strictly prohibited, and I will enact laws to enforce this!”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief; their main concern was that the Count might take credit for their work.
“Lastly, I suggest we na the laboratory ‘Chemistry Laboratory’, inspired by the idea of ‘Creating Everything.’”
“What a great na!” Wells was the first to agree. “Alchemy originally aid to transmute other substances into gold, and though gold was never produced, it led to the creation of various other things, exactly ‘Creating Everything’!”
“Hmm… that makes sense.”
“The na is very fitting.”
“Chemistry… the study of creating everything…”
Everyone agreed with the na proposed by the Count.
“Good!” Count Grayman decided firmly, looking pleased. “Since everyone agrees, let’s settle on that.”
The discussion about constructing the laboratory continued cheerfully, with a lively atmosphere in the hall. The Count also inquired in detail about all aspects of alchemy, tactfully changing the subject when it delved into proprietary secrets, endearing himself further to the group.
The enthusiastic exchange lasted until noon, by which ti everyone’s stomachs were growling. Count Grayman invited everyone to stay for lunch.
As the servants laid out the food, the conversation continued.
“Gentlen!” the Count, fiddling with a strange pair of eating utensils made of two thin sticks, said, “I hope that once the laboratory is built, it can first help solve a difficult problem.”
An older alchemist stood up and replied, “My lord, you have provided us with such a convenient environnt, it’s only right for us to solve problems for you. May I ask what this difficult problem is?”
Paul Grayman casually responded, “Research how to massively collect saltpeter using feces, urine, and decaying animal and plant remains!”
A chill seed to pass over the dining table…
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